Bottler bolts up on hurdling debut

He’s a nice horse. It might not have been the greatest renewal of a Grade 3 but for his first day he jumped well. He was a little bit big and slow early on but the further he went the better he got. It would have been nice if we’d got more experience into him. I thought we’re getting on in the year and we’d pitch him in at the deep end. If he didn’t win he’d be a novice next year. He’s in the Triumph but I don’t know if he’ll go there. If he had a bit more experience he would but it is what it is at this stage. There are plenty of options at Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown.

Tounsivator overcomes last flight error to win cosily

Paul said he was a bit keen but being ex-Flat you would expect that. His jumping was good bar he stood on himself after the last. To recover and win after losing all momentum was impressive. Aubrey McMahon bought him. That’s the second horse he’s run for the syndicate and they’ve both won — My Great Mate was the other one. You’d be looking for improvement when he settles and gets a cleaner round of jumping. He could be a fair horse and he’ll obviously be dual-purpose. He was going well in the autumn and Willie threw him out and gave him a break. I’m sure he’ll go for novice hurdles at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

No Battle required for O'Dwyer charge

Hollow back with a bang

I was happy with him to do that after such a long lay-off. Hopefully now he stays sound so that we can keep him that way. He popped over a few hurdles and a few fences yesterday morning and I was happy with him. The conditions of this race suited him a bit better than last week (at Gowran). I think he’s still young enough to put in a career best over fences. He just has to overcome this first run and come back sound and we’ll see where we go. Paul felt looking at the make up of the race that there would be plenty of pace and we didn’t feel there was much point in taking them on after such a break. He settled lovely and even though he’s free going, once you settle him in he listens and responds to you. We were happy to use those tactics and hoped that if he got around safe and sound that he’d be the fastest horse in the straight which he was. He’s entered in Cheltenham. It may be a big ask on his second run but we’ll have a look. It may come a bit soon. It will be all about how he comes out of the race in the next week, and we’ll probably look for easier options for the time being.

American in the Money at Naas again

Cheltenham on the cards for Birth after Pertemps win

Things just didn’t quite go to plan in Musselburgh the last day, but it was lovely that he came right today. He ran a blinder at Cheltenham back in November and was just too keen. It was my fault to put the cheek-pieces on him, but we left them off him today and he relaxed lovely. Dan gave him a lovely ride. He was a few pounds out of the handicap today. If he gets into the Pertemps (Final) he’ll go and if he doesn’t we might look at Mallow in a month’s time and see if we can get him qualified for the Final of the Full Circle Series in Punchestown. I’m delighted he’s come forward from the last day and we’ll look towards fences during the summer as well.

Munny makes big statement in bumper

I’m astonished the price this horse went off. I thought he should have been even money favourite on the back of his form. The horse of Willie’s that he beat the last day was backed as if money was going out of fashion and they were clear of the rest. He’s hardly having a blow there and it was like a piece of work. He’s very unusual for a Westerner as they normally don’t win bumpers, they improve when they get a hurdle and a fence. I’m definitely not taking him to Cheltenham. I don’t like giving them more than two runs in winners bumpers but I’m going to bring this lad to Punchestown for the Champion Bumper, and I think he’s the one to beat in it. In my view he’s the best bumper horse in the country. His work has been very good since in won in Navan. I’m hoping he’ll be a Grade 1 horse over a hurdle next year. Finny Maguire gets very limited opportunities but in my view he’s a fantastic rider. The best bumper rider in the country by a mile. I think he’s had five rides for me this year and four winners.